The Mission Continues

Each issue in this section, the editorial staff of Military Embedded Systems will highlight a different charity that benefits military veterans and their families. We are honored to cover the technology that protects those who protect us every day. To back that up, our parent company – OpenSystems Media – will make a donation to every charity we showcase on this page.

This issue we are highlighting The Mission Continues, a national organization founded in 2007 to empower veterans who are adjusting to life at home to find purpose through community-service projects and outreach programs.

The Mission Continues deploys veteran volunteers alongside nonprofit partners and community leaders to lead and assist in projects including improving community education resources, eliminating food deserts, and mentoring at-risk youth.

At the heart of the organization are fellowships, through which selected post-9/11 veterans volunteer part-time for six months at the community organization of their choice. In return, fellows receive a living stipend, complete a leadership development curriculum, and develop new skills and networks. According to the group, the fellowship program is ideal for veterans who wish to start a new career, gain practical work experience while attending school, or find a new way to serve at home and transition back into civilian life.

The Mission Continues also emphasizes the post-service contributions of female veterans: The organization says that 34 percent of its fellows are female veterans who are fanning out in their communities to lead service platoons, organize projects, and mount fundraisers.

Through this unique model, says the group, veterans build new skills and networks that help them successfully reintegrate to life after the military while making long-term, sustainable transformations in communities and inspiring future generations to serve.